KINGSTON, Jamaica: In keeping with its mission of guiding local MSMEs on the path of becoming export-ready, Export Max III on Thursday, February 25, 2021, officially launched its Mentorship Programme. The initiative will be led by partner agency, Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA). Export Max III is managed by the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) and the JMEA.
The Programme follows a Big Brother Big Sister Alliance for Export Growth concept and will facilitate a cohort of 49 mentee companies. These companies will be paired with mentors from established entities across various industries and sub-sectors groups. The participants will benefit from a one-hour, virtual session with the selected mentor and will be assisted in key areas such as:
- Market Intelligence and data gathering
- Provision of referrals
- Sharing of distributor listing and contacts
- Sourcing of packaging, raw materials, and equipment along with
- Information and resource sharing in areas relating to law, finances, marketing standards, export steps and processes, among others.
At present, the Mentorship Programme has secured mentors from four (4) entities: WISYNCO Group Limited, Rainforest Seafoods Limited, Technological Solutions Limited (TSL) and Jamaican Teas Limited. Plans are in place to secure an additional ten (10) mentors to facilitate the Programme.
A total of four (4) mentorship sessions has been executed since the beginning of the year and these sessions will continue through to September 2022.
The aim of the Mentorship Programme is to boost the knowledge capacity of the participants, empowering them with the requisite information and ‘know-how’, needed to navigate the market space and achieve further export success.
JAMPRO President Diane Edwards said that mentorship was an excellent addition to the Export Max III programmed, as it added a new dimension to its support for participants. She said, “JAMPRO is pleased that Jamaica’s business community has officially signed on to the Export Max initiative to provide guidance for its participants. We believe this will provide the cohort with the knowledge they need to take advantage of today’s export opportunities, and it will inspire them to find new ways to strategically grow their businesses. We have already received excellent feedback from the companies on this initiative, and from our perspective, this positive energy of cooperation and support will lead to big export wins. Thank you to all our mentors who have joined us on this journey.”
Executive Director at the JMEA Simara Howell, expressed that the Association looks forward to executing a fruitful Mentorship Programme that will lead to limitless possibilities for the participants involved. She stated “as we continue to navigate the pandemic, we must remain hopeful and continue to do the work and put plans in place that will enable us to adapt and utilize opportunities within the market space as they arise. The creation of this Mentorship Programme actively shows us moving towards this in a collaborative manner.”